Forum Topics

Bonefires corner of Acton lane & Meon road

Is there anyone else who is extremely incommodated by the constant bonefires from the people at the corner of Acton lane & Meon road? They were burning stuff yesterday and the day before and just started again a few minutes ago. I have been in touch with the council, we have called the local police, the environment agency... nothing has ever come of it. There is no point in talking to the people in question, they don't care and pretend they're only burning leaves when there are actually no trees in their garden and we all know they are a trade and are probably burning things(god knows what)from jobs. Any ideas? Anyone else affected by this? The more complaints, the better.Thanks for reading.

Stéphanie Radet ● 5669d2 Comments ● 5669d

Churchfield Community Association -Wine tasting evening - Thursday 10th March

Thursday, 10 March, 7pm for 7.30pm startThe Rocket (upstairs), 11 Churchfield RoadWe will be looking at 8 wines – 3 red, 3 white, 1 rosé and 1 sparkling – none of which are on the current Rocket wine list. The tasting will be led by Toby Mason of Heritage Wines. Tasting sheets will be provided, and you'll be able to purchase all the wines tasted from Heritage in wholesale quantities.There will also be a full hot and cold buffet.Anyone wishing to attend for the very reasonable price of £10 should book and pay in advance All cheque payable to Churchfield Community Association and sent to Philippe Bruyer 16 Lynton Road London W3 9HPWe've set a minimum attendance at 20 but obviously the more the merrier !

Philippe Bruyer ● 5695d5 Comments ● 5670d

Any Indian shop in Acton?

We're planning to host an 'Indian' evening for our friends with Indian food and Bollywood films.Does anyone know of a shop that sells Indian food and spices/ingredients for cooking? For example kurkure, paneer, etc.Thanks!

Will Sheppard ● 5676d4 Comments ● 5671d

Cattery/Cat sitter around Acton?

I found a old thread from January 2010 asking about catteries.The thread contains several suggestions, see below.I wonder, does anyone have any recent experiences/references for any of these catteries/cat sitters, or another suggestion?1) Goddards Vets in Horn Lane - £10/day2) C.J. Hall in Acton Lane - £10/day3) SARAH CHAPMAN V.N. BA (Hons) - £10/day4) The Cat Whiskers Cattery - £12/day5) Sharron Clarke on 8569 8284 charges £6 per visit

Will Sheppard ● 5672d3 Comments ● 5671d

Westway 30 limit on elavated section

Coming from Paddington this morning I saw new painted 30 signs on the carriageway. Some years ago the limit was dropped from 60 to 50, now it has been halved and is unrealistic for this type of road. I was doing 50, (the previous limit), when I saw these markings. I hope this is not a scam to collect fines.

Robert Murray ● 5688d18 Comments ● 5672d

Olympic Impact on Local Roads

'Consultation' on proposed restrictions so athletes and officials can speed to Wembley during the Olympics. Greatesr impact for me will be 'no right turn from E bound Westway into Old Oak Road. What do you think?Dear Resident,Changes to roads in your area for the London 2012 GamesBackgroundDuring the summer next year London will be staging the world’s largest sporting event as the host city for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.Top athletes from all over the world will be coming to compete at venues all over the UK. Up to 10 million spectators will flock to the events and around 4 billion people around the world are expected to watch the Games on TV.At the same time, it is essential that Londoners can go about their everyday lives with the minimum of disruption. Transport is vital to making the Games a success and a multi-billion pound investment programme is improving public transport and the road network.Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route NetworkAt the heart of the Games are the athletes, officials and media who have to get to events safely and on time. To achieve this, they will travel on a network of roads that link venues and accommodation, called the Olympic Route Network. A smaller version will operate during the Paralympic Games when fewer venues will be in use. These roads will be open to general traffic and will be kept clear of obstructions, such as road works.The Olympic Route Network is needed in the London Borough of Ealing to provide a link to Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena along Western Avenue (A40) and North Circular Road.To keep traffic moving on these routes, there will be some temporary changes to the way the road can be used. These proposed changes which are likely to operate from mid July to mid August 2012 are: The offside lane on parts of the A40 and A406 to be used by Games and emergency vehicles only (currently planned to operate between 7am – 11pm) Closure of one lane on the A40 eastbound approach to Hanger Lane Closure of Coronation Road bridge between Park Royal and the A40 No right turn (except buses) into Old Oak Road off the A40 Offside Games Lanes on the A406 (currently 7am – 11pm) which could mean that general traffic may experience queuing delays.Olympic and Paralympic Route Network EngagementTransport for London11th FloorPalestraLondonSE10 8NJwww.tfl.gov.ukHow to find out moreDetails of the proposed changes are now available for comment. We want you to view the changes and start to think about how to plan your travel ahead of the Games. Before the plans are finalised for formal approval you can comment on them by: Visiting our drop in sessions at Ramada Encore Hotel, 4 Portal Way W3 6RT 23 March 4pm – 8pm 25 March 10.30am – 1pm The Brentham Club, 38A Meadvale Road W5 1NP 26 March 10.30am – 3pm 30 March 4pm – 8pm Going online www.tfl.gov.uk/ORN Emailing ORNandPRNengagement@tfl.gov.uk Writing to TfL Olympic and Paralympic Route Network EngagementTransport for LondonZone 11G3 11th Floor, Palestra197 Blackfriars RoadLondon, SE1 8NJ Telephoning 0845 305 1234(You’ll pay no more than 5p per minute if calling from BT landline. Charges from mobiles or other landline providers may vary)When submitting your views please quote reference 15.36/ EAL/ 002Please note that the deadline for receiving your feedback on the plans is 11 April 2011What happens next?Following this stage, a formal consultation period will take place as part of the process of introducing Traffic Regulation Orders, which are required to enforce the proposed changes. Notices of proposals will be published locally and on the TfL website, providing an opportunity for formal representations to be submitted.Once detailed proposals are finalised, we will continue to work with you to respond to your concerns and try to find solutions. Extensive travel Information before and during the Games will help you plan ahead and prepare for this once in a lifetime event.Kind regards,The ORN and PRN Engagement Team

Iain Muir ● 5672d0 Comments ● 5672d

The census: vital information or lavish waste of money?

Me, I read History so am with the census takers every timeBut it's ever so expensive and this may be the last one.Would that be a shame or a sensible tuning of our aspirations to our resources?

Sara Nathan ● 5674d13 Comments ● 5672d

Acton Swimming baths closed this morning

I wanted to go for a swim at 9.30 this morning. The pool was closing down due to an incident at the pool. So no swimming for me today. Does someone know what happened?

Stella Ellis ● 5672d0 Comments ● 5672d

book club

Could anyone tell me whether there is a local book club that might accept a new member? Alternatively, if there is not, are there any forum members who might join me in a new group?

Maire Lowe ● 5735d15 Comments ● 5672d

Proposed Friars Green Controlled Parking Zone

Hello All,I live on Creffield Road, and I have just read notices consulting on including our street on the proposed CPZ.I am looking at the notice and s(2)(b) states :-..to provide that parking spaces would operate in the periods between 10am and 11am and between 4pm and 5pm on Mondays to fridays inclusive; and..I am confused by this statement.  Are they saying the the CPZ will be effective for 1 hour in the monring and 1 hour PM or does the word "inclusive" means it runs from either 10-4 or 11 to 5?It seems daft me buying a permit for just 2 hours a day..Any ideas.TaM

Michael Beaumont ● 5697d88 Comments ● 5673d

Glossy new Ealing for Developers site....

Well, new to me anyway! Aimed at attracting developers and investment to the Borough. LBE has a stand at the international property bash at Cannes this week and two LBE staff have cycled there. Procurement partners for the Acton Town Hall proposals are also sought. Worth a look, http://www.ealinginlondon.com/index.htm

Iain Muir ● 5673d0 Comments ● 5673d

Greene Report - be prepared to get angry/depressed!

While Lord Greene may for appropriate reasons be referred to by Private Eye as Lord Greed, his report on government purchasing policies challenges what financial savings could be made by centralising government expenditure (and in turn is a depressing read at the major waste that is currently occurring). While thirty odd pages, as it has been done in Powerpoint type format it is a pretty easy read. http://download.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/efficiency/sirphilipgreenreview.pdfThe savings identified from this very initial report, left me wondering if the separate proposals on say increased university grants and imminent major government cuts is tackling the right problem?

Joe Conneely ● 5815d10 Comments ● 5673d

Get Your Garden Growing at Chiswick House Walled Gardens on Sunday 20th March

Come and be inspired to get your garden growing this spring at Chiswick House Walled Gardens on Sunday 20th March from 10am till 4pm. Information and advice will be on hand to motivate you to grow your own fruit and vegetables.  There will be fun and gardening based activities for all the family.  We will also have information and activities on how to make your garden more wildlife friendly.Bring your spare seeds (vegetable or flowers) to our Seed Swap and see if you can pick up some new seeds for your own garden.  If you don’t have any spare seeds to swap there will be some to buy.  We will also be selling plants grown by the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust.We are trialing a new raised bed system this growing season that we're hoping will reduce the time between sowing seeds and harvesting the crop - come and take a look.  Chiswick Horticultural Society and Abundance London will have stalls on the day, too so it’s a good opportunity to find out what they can offer. Entry is from Dukes Avenue only and we ask for an entrance fee of £1 for adults and 50p for children to cover our costs.  This day is also the last day of our internationally acclaimed Camellia Festival, so if you haven’t visited already, take this chance to do so.       

Karen Roberts ● 5673d0 Comments ● 5673d

Giving away Stuart: a life backwards on World Book Day

Am ever so chuffed by the email telling me I have 48 copies of this fab book to give away on World Book Night - March 5thHas anyone else round here signed up to be a book giver and if so, of what?Stuart was the first book we read at the Vanilla (now Rocket) book club.I was sorry not to get my first choice of "the dog in the night-time" - which has almost universal appeal - but happy with Stuart.I thought I would do it in Acton market but any other ideas welcome - four dozen is quite a lot of books!

Sara Nathan ● 5708d17 Comments ● 5674d

School Run Mums Face £120 Fine For 'Idling'

So school run dads are in the clear? Editor, please!

Keith Clarke ● 5674d5 Comments ● 5674d

Garra Rufa fish at Enzo in Acton

I've just had my feet nibbled by these lovely little fish at Enzo in Acton (next to Thai Nice!).  It was a very strange, but very pleasante, experience - and I would thoroughly recommend the experience.  It left my tired feet feeling refreshed and silky smooth.   And, no, I have absolutely no connection to the salon!

Anne Brown ● 5678d5 Comments ● 5674d

Recycling Cooking Oil

Here is the Council Press Release regarding this.Ealing started offering a free collection of cooking oil from businesses several years ago.  It now seems that residents can recyle their cooking too.  You only have to see the photographs of the sewers to realise why the rats like it down there!"Ealing slick at cooking oil recyclingPublished 7 January 2011An Ealing Council recycling centre is top of the tables for waste cooking oil collection. Greenford Recycling Centre has collected the most cooking oil for recycling in London, and the second highest volume in the country. In the last two years, residents have deposited a massive 6,110 litres at Greenford, and another 1,950 litres at Acton making a total of 8,060 litres.Just one litre of used cooking oil can be converted into a new green fuel called LF100 to produce enough clean electricity to make 240 cups of tea. The total amount collected in Ealing is enough to power eight homes for a year or an energy-saving 20W light bulb for each Ealing resident for five and a half hours*.Residents can dispose of old cooking oil at Ealing Council’s Reuse and Recycling centres in Acton and Greenford. The waste cooking oil is recycled by Living Fuels - part of the British group Renewable Energy Generation - to produce a green fuel to power electricity generators which feed into the National Grid.Pouring cooking oil down the sink is a problem for a number of reasons - it clogs up drains and sewers, is hazardous to wildlife if it is allowed to seep into the water table, and it wastes precious unused energy.Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for Transport and Environment, said: “It’s great news that residents have taken to waste oil recycling with the same enthusiasm that they have shown for all our other recycling services. I would encourage everyone to save used cooking oil left over from cooking, and take it to their nearest recycling centre. Not only will this produce clean and green electricity, it will also save drains from getting blocked.“So, do an extra bit for the environment and make recycling your used cooking oil one of this year's resolutions." Acton Re-use and Recycling Centre in Stirling Road, Greenford Re-use and Recycling Centre in Greenford Road, and Southall Re-use and Recycling Centre in Gordon Road are open Mon-Sun, 8am-5pm (between 1 April-30 September) and 8am-4pm (between 1 October-31 March). Further information on recycling in Ealing is available. * Based on statistics from the Centre for Alternative Technology. "

Philippa Bond ● 5706d8 Comments ● 5675d

Mammas and Pappas buggy

Hi, I have a mammas and Pappas pliko prammette to sell. You can use it either as a carry cot (where the baby lies flat) or a buggy. It has been WELL used so is by no means in perfect condition. Needs a bit of TLC. The handle bars do still adjust but one is a slightly different height due to carrying a trike across the handle bars! I'm being completely honest with the condition so as not to disillusion you! It is a lovely pram to use with baby but is heavy to push with a toddler  - hence why I'm swapping to a Maclaren. It comes with a rain cover, a foot apron, parasol, instructions and matching nappy bag. It is grey. I would like £30 ONO.  Please get in touch if you are interested, I live in Acton. Best wishesNatasha  Below is some more information if you're interested; It looks like the pictures below (hope they come through) BUT is not as new or the same model, colour etc. This is the information given on the Mammas and Pappas website for the pliko prammette;Transforms from a pram into a pushchair without adding or taking anything away, making life easier for you as a parent and making every moment with your baby one to enjoy.Key Features:- Suitable from birth- Adjustable leg rest- Face to face in pramette mode- Forward facing pushchair mode- Toddler ride on step- Travel system compatible- Traditional pram mode- Height adjustable handles- One hand fold- Free standing when folded- Compact fold- Individual wheel suspension- Cup holder- Weight 9kg

N Scott ● 5680d3 Comments ● 5676d

Am I too stingy? Cleaner wanted. Advice/offers please!

What is the going rate nowadays for cleaning. My cleaner is leaving me as she apparently now has £12/15 ph jobs. I pay £8 and have about 4-5 hrs work (nr Horn Lane.  What's the deal nowadays, what is reasonable.

Ireen Esmann ● 5712d12 Comments ● 5676d

Controlled Parking Zones

Introducing CPZs in the area off Horn Lane between 10 and 11am and 4 and 5pm will have no impact on the problems people have identified - white vans and dumped cars will still be a problem.   This is simply a scheme we do not need and will just put more of our money in the council's pocket.   I can't believe anyone has thought this through and is still supporting it.   It's daylight robbery.   There is no problem during these hours with finding parking.  Once the scheme is in place the council will increase the price when they feel like it (they have recently made a substantial increase on the ones in Ealing) and in addition to your own permit you will have to pay for visitors pemits for any workmen/family or friends who want to park at these time.  Once it's up and running there will be no turning back.   Please, please write and stop this happening.   The deadline for writing to the council is 25th February.  

Jane Quill ● 5696d2 Comments ● 5677d